"She wants to be a nurse? POOR GIRL!"

[RN4008]

Hi everyone,

I am a pre-nursing student, taking my prerequisites for nursing school. I've been feeling a little discouraged lately by some of the responses i've been getting when I tell people that I want to be a nurse, and I wanted to see if these opinions are actually true. Mainly it has been stuff like "get ready to spend all your time at the hospital" and "you're going to have to give up all your nights and weekends and holidays." I know these things are true to some extent, but is it really that severe? And when my mother told my grandfather I wanted to be a nurse, he said "That POOR GIRL! Doesn't she know how difficult nursing is? She is going to have to labor so much, they give so much work to those nurses."

Basically, I just want to see if these things are actually true, and to make sure nursing is for me. I know I want to help others, and I am definitely interest in health and medicine, but I am worried about the workload and the high stress and high pressure situations. I am also worried that if I have a family I will not get to spend time with them because of nursing.

Can anyone give me some insight on what nursing is really like? I have read countless books and researched it, but since I haven't been able to get into any volunteer programs, I still have some doubt about my choice.

Thank you all so much, this website is truly a blessing for us pre-nursing students.

:redbeathe

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

If you are really worried about what nursing is like, working conditions, etc, why not call up a local hospital nurse recruiter and see if you can shadow a nurse for a day? It could really open your eyes

[llg, PhD, RN]

Yes ... they are basically true ... but not 100% all the time. Your grandfather is right for the most part. Nursing is a lot of hard work. It also requires the sacrifice of some of your weekends, holidays, etc.

It's not like most other jobs in some respects. Sick people need your help and we are expected to serve their needs -- even when it is inconvenient or unpleasant for us to do so. Yes, some particular nursing jobs are more pleasant, less demanding, etc. than others ... but you need to be prepared to endure at least some hard work, unpleasant schedules, and unpleasant working conditions if you decide you want to try to be a nurse.

[WoosahRN, MSN, RN]

Please do not allow others' preconceptions sway your decisions. Nursing is still a profession that is not very understood. Once you get into the program you will KNOW whether it is for you or not. Nursing is so incredibly diverse that you do not have to work at a hospital, every day/night, all weekend and every holiday. That is a bit extreme. When I was going into nursing I asked every nurse I met what their specialty was and why. Everyone had a very personal answer. They chose their career with care and did what they did for a reason. And it was interesting that almost everyone I asked worked in a different specialty and environment so I got a great range of answers. There was only one person who was incredibly negative. She was a nurse but was telling me "whatever you do, don't be a nurse." What I took from that was that she was burned out (and not a very pleasant person in general). I did not take her negativity personally. That was her view point and it was unlikely to change unless she did something about whatever it was that made her so miserable. I felt sorry for her patients and hoped that she didn't make them feel like she hated being a nurse. While I won't speak for everyone, I think that the issue of burnout can be dealt with given that we have so many options. A change of environment or specialty can beathe so much life into a career. Don't let others discourage you. Focus on your goals and why you were drawn to nursing. Believe me when you get to start critically thinking and things start clicking or you have a patient or family member look you in the eye and express their gratitude you won't care what anyone else thinks. If you are still getting a lot of negative feedback, surround yourself with people that will be encouraging to your goals. Or share with them why you want to be a nurse. You might give them a different perspective once they realize how important it is to you. Go into your career knowing what you want and be willing to stand up for it (even in a work environment).

Personally, even though I was around my mom (she's been a home health and IV infusion nurse for 30 years) I never considered nursing. I had a young, mid-life crisis when I got my BS. I didn't really know what to do with my life. Somehow my brain got me thinking about nursing. My BS was a science focused degree and I found that I only had 3 classes to take to finish all pre-reqs. As I started the program I was afraid I was doing it just for a job. The very first day of clinicals (8 weeks into the program) I fell in love and I knew it was the right decision. what a relief! I promised myself I would stay very open-minded and not 'choose' an area until I got to experience all the clinicals. But early on I thought about Pediatrics. The day I mentioned this to my mom she said "That's funny. I just told someone today I think you will be a Pediatric nurse." :) I am currently in the Pediatric ICU. An intense environment that I love. My brain feels alive there and there is something amazing about working with kids and their families. I love talking about my job and sometimes just sit in awe at what me and my co-workers are a part of. I will have an impact on that family for the rest of their lives whether it is through giving great patient care, patient education (new diagnosis), intervening a change in patient condition and/or keeping their child alive. I am currently working on my Master's with goals to eventually do NP but I am also loving bedside nursing so I am not in a huge rush to do that (still working on the next phase/plan in life). I do work nights (my choice) and I work every third weekend. And we do arrange holiday schedules so no, I do not work every holiday. Oh, and I only work OT if I want to. :)

As far as the nurse shadowing idea, unfortunately HIPPA doesn't allow for it. :/ (I had asked for a family member that was interested in a health care career)

[rainstorm83]

So, family and friends are telling you that you won't have anytime for family and friends. Hmmm. I bet I know why they're against Nursing.

I suggest just saying something reassuring like, "Don't worry, I'll always have time for you." Or if they still seem concerned you might try, "There are some jobs like that but plenty that aren't." Or give them an example of someone you know who balances both really well.

It is demanding. Lot's of important careers are. However, lot's of people do it with flying colors. If you can get into Nursing school, I'm sure you can manage a schedule.